The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 07, 1999
Filed:
Oct. 09, 1997
James A Westhoff, Langhorne, PA (US);
James A Kelly, Reiglesville, PA (US);
Poly-Tec Products, Inc., Tullytown, PA (US);
Abstract
A bidirectional gasket providing a water-tight seal between a manhole assembly and a pipe, having a T-shaped anchoring portion for embedment in a manhole opening. An A-shaped pipe engagement portion joined to the anchoring portion by a connecting web facilitates bending of the gasket. The A-shaped portion has 'legs' and recesses forming water pockets preventing water from entering between gasket and pipe. The gasket durometer enhances the water tight seal of the legs with increasing water pressure. The pipe engaging portion accommodates a greater outside pipe diameter compared with conventional connectors due to reduced volume, by providing voids within the connector. The gasket accommodates diameter deflection or ovation in rigid and flexible pipe materials. The A-shaped profile provides greater angular deflection and/or pipe misalignment allowance compared with conventional connectors. Tapered projections near the apex wipe the pipe external periphery upon insertion and further contribute to compression of the connector in the nose portion, preventing the projection from flipping over during pipe insertion. The web joining the anchoring and pipe engagement portions has a tapered cross section, increasing in thickness toward the pipe engagement portion, enhancing compression of the web against the pipe. The connecting web and interior periphery of the T-shaped portion have integral projections which eliminate profile thinning and significantly reduce water infiltration. The simplified water pocket recesses ease installation problems and prevent pull-in of the water pocket which results in connector failure.